It has to be said that there was some doubt surrounding Marcel's future. With the emergence of William Gallas and JT as a first choice defensive pairing (surely this year Claudio!), it remains to be seen where Marcel fits in. Perhaps he will have another year as a first choice player and then step into the background next season.

But I for one am delighted to see that he will be staying at the club as he has been superb as a Chelsea player. He told his official website "'Chelsea have offered me a contract extension of a year and I have accepted, which means I will be at the Blues until 2005."

And Trevor Birch confirmed this on the Chelsea website, saying "We are delighted. Marcel is a champion, he has seen the progress we are making at Chelsea and has decided he wants to remain a part of it."

Marcel is the third central defender to agree an extension to his contract this summer, following in the footsteps of John Terry and William Gallas.